Different Types of Employment Green Cards
US Immigration Law offers several employment-based green card categories, including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5. These categories are based on the qualifications and skills of the foreign worker, as well as the needs of the U.S. job market. Each category has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
If you are a foreign national seeking permanent residence in the United States based on your employment, you may be eligible to apply for an employment-based green card. Here are the different types of employment-based green cards available:
EB-1 Green Cards: Priority Workers
EB-1 is a category of employment-based green card reserved for priority workers who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational managers or executives. EB-1 applicants may self-petition, meaning they can apply for a green card without a sponsoring employer.
EB-2 Green Cards: Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
EB-2 is a category of employment-based green cards for professionals with advanced degrees (Master's Degree and above) or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. There are two types of EB-2 green card categories: National Interest Waiver (NIW) EB-2 green cards (no Labor Certification required) and 'regular' EB-2 green cards.
To qualify for the NIW category, a foreign national must establish that their work will be of national significance to the US.
To qualify for the 'regular' EB-2 green card category, the foreign national must have a job offer from a sponsoring employer in the United States. Additionally, the employer must complete a Labor Certification application with the Department of Labor to demonstrate that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the position.
Click here to learn more (National Interest Waiver Category).
EB-3 Green Cards: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
EB-3 is a category of employment-based green card for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. Skilled workers are defined as those whose job requires a minimum of two years of training or experience, while professionals must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Other workers are those who perform unskilled labor that requires less than two years of training or experience. To qualify for EB-3, the foreign national must have a job offer from a sponsoring employer in the United States. Additionally, the employer must complete a Labor Certification application with the Department of Labor to demonstrate that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the position.
EB-4: Special Immigrants
EB-4 is a category of employment-based green card for special immigrants, including religious workers, certain international employees of the U.S. government abroad, and other qualifying individuals.
EB-5: Immigrant Investors
EB-5 is a category of employment-based green card for immigrant investors who invest a certain amount of capital in a qualifying U.S. business and create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. EB-5 applicants may self-petition, meaning they can apply for a green card without a sponsoring employer.